Platform-scale.



vNo. 873,168. 'PATBNTBD-Dc. 1o, 1907 M. H. am).

PLATFORM SCALE. Arrmon'xol mlm rn. s, 1m.

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PATENTED DEG. 1o, 1907. M. E. REED. PLATFORM SCALE. APPLIOATIOI -FILBD FEB. 5. 1006.

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QN m NN NT- J/ A -PATENTED DEC-'10, 1907. M. H. REED. PLATFORM SCALE.

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MATTHEW HOWARD REED, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA,

PLATFORM-SCALE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 10, 1907.

Application led February 5. 1906. Serial No. 299.403.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW HOWARD REED, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Platform-Scales, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to 1 the accompanying drawing, forming part of the specification, 1n which- Figure 1. is a plan view of my improved platform scale. Fig. 2. is a cross sectional View on the line II. II. of Fig. 1. 3. is a longitudinal vertical section on the line III. III. of Fig. 1. Fig. 4. is a similar view on the line IV. IV. of Fig. l.v Fig. 5. is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a 4modified construction of platform. Fig. 6. is a cross sectional view slmilar to Fig. 5 illustrating the framing of the platform without the levers. Fig. 7. is a cross sectional view'similar to Fig. 5 showing a structural steel construction. Fig. 8. is a perspective view of the lever mechanism assembled. Fig. 9. is a perspective detail view.

My invention refers to improvements in platform scales ofvwell known type and is designed for the purpose of providing a shallow pit or a pitlessfscale to secure the advantages of a shallow foundation and pit, greatly lessening the amount of timber or platform supporting structure by reason of the improvement, and avoiding the objections of accumulation of water, cost of excavation, foundation, material, etc.

The invention refers particularly to the construction and arrangement of the lever mechanism and its incorporation and combination with the foundation, frame, platform and beam box. i'

In carrying out my invention I provide a surrounding stationary foundation framework with an interior clearance cavity, the depth `of which is desirably reduced to a minimum by the use of my improved lever apparatus, etc.; aweighing platform of any suitable type, and the su porting multiplying lever construction a apted to support the platform and its load and to transmlt the effective weight therefrom to the indicating mechanism, as shall be hereinafter described.

Referring now to the drawings, 2 represents the end timbers and 3 the side timbers of the foundation construction which may be supported upon brick, masonry, concrete orother suitable foundation, the end tim-v bers 2 being preferably flush with the roadway and the side timbers extending slightly above as shown and framed into said end timbers.

4 is the planking of the scale platform also normally flush with the road-way in the usual manner and preferably provided with laterally arranged upwardly extending ledges 5 for protecting the horses hoofs and preventing the wheels from running off. The platform 4, in the principal figures of the drawings, consists of planks arranged lengthwise and supported directly upon cross beams or holsters 6, preferably four in number as shown in Fig. 3, one of said holsters being arranged at each end, the intervening ones being suitably arranged to support the platform floor and to provide for a connection with the lever mechanism, for which latter purpose the bolsters 6 extend outwardly at each side beyond the platform as clearly shown in Figs. l and 6.

Secured upon the upper portion of the side timbers 3 in any suitable manner at each side is a plate 7 or other equivalent bracket ism comprising endmost levers of the second class and intermediate levers of the 'first class connected with said endmost levers and also with the transmitting lever mechanism arranged at right angles midway across underneath the platform and connected with the steelyard rod. By means of said downwardly extending staples or links S at each side of the foundation framework the primary multiplying levers 9 are connected at 10, the endmost timbers 6 of the platform being connected to said levers 9 at l1 by similar link or other suitablelmechanism as clearly shown, said connections being adjacent to the pivoting bearing or fulcrum 10, while beyond the weight-supporting pivot 11 the levers 9 extend inwardly toward the transmitting lever mechanism a considerable distance for the purpose of multiplying the leverage as will be readily understood.

12, 12, represent the intermediate multiplying levers, of the first class, supported at 13 by suitable link or loop construction from the depending staples 8 and frame as shown. From levers 12 by bearings 14 adjacent to said pivotal bearings 13, the intermediate bolsters 6 of the platform are supported by similar link or loop mechanism. These levers 12 extend outwardly toward the primary multiplying levers 9 at each end, with which they are connected by suitable link mechanism or otherwise as indicated at 15, whereby the gravitating effect of the platform and its load will be uniformly transmitted through both levers 9 and 12 to the inner terminals 12" of levers 12, said terminals being arranged closely 'adjacent to each other at the middle portion lengthwise of th e platform foundation and at each side thereof, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 8.

For the purpose of transmitting the effective multiplied leverage of levers 9 and 12,' uniformly distributed by each inner end 12 of the secondarymultiplying levers 12, I employ transversely arranged transmitting and multiplying lever mechanism as shown in Figs. 2 and 8, com rising a transmitting lever 16 `of the secon class pivoted or fulcrumed at 17 in a suitable bearing depending' downwardly or otherwise mounted upon the side structure, extending inwardly across underneath the middle portion of the platform, and attached at 18 by link mechanism or otherwise with the inner end of a secondary transmitting lever 19 of the irst class. The lever 19 is pivoted or fulcrumed at 20 in a suitable bearing depending from or otherwise suitably mounted on the opposite side foundation, which lever 19 extends outwardly beyond said bearing and is connected at 21 with the steelyard rod' 22 extending upwardly and suitably connected to exert a downward pull on the short end of the poise beam 23, as 'clearly shown and as will be readily understood.

The inner ends 12 of lthe secondary multiplying levers 12' exert their upward strain through said transmitting lever mechanism by the link or loop attachments 24, 25, the lengths of the transmitting levers and the location of the connections 26 of said link or loop mechanism being suitably arranged with relation to the fulcrums 17 and 20 so that the leverages will correspond, and linal transmission will be exerted downwardly through the steelyard rod 22 inthe desired degree. 4

It will be observed that the primary and secondary multiplying levers 9 and 12 are located along each side of the platform, immediately below its top, closely beneath the supporting brackets 7 and in substantial alinement with each other, thus occupying a minimum of space. Also that the transmitting levers 16 and 19 are arranged immediately below the plane of said levers, underneath the platform 4 but between the supporting beams 6 thereof and above or on a plane with the lower edges of said beams, so that the vertical depth of pit necessary vening lattice work 30.

sirnes largely due to the mounting of the primary and secondary multiplying levers along each outer side of the platform and to the compact arrangement and combination with said levers and with the platform, of the transmitting lever mechanism.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated the applicationof the invention to a modified platform construction employing main transverse. beams or bolster' 6 longitudinal-sills or platform sticks 27, and floor planking 28 laid crosswise of the platform. The lever mechanism is the same as already described and as shown in Fig. 5, the parts being referred to by the same numerals, primed.

In Fig. 7 I show a further modiiication in which I employ structural steel framing for the stationary supports of the levers and transverse structural members for the platform bolsters. In this arrangement 29, 29, are longitudinal upper and lower chords of a truss beam mounted at each side on the supporting foundation and connected by inter- 31 represents one of the supporting bolsters ofchannel or I beam form, upon which the platform planks 4 are laid, the bolsters 31 having supplemental extensions 32 at each end to which the lever mechanism is connected by link or loop connections 33, said extensions 32 projecting between the lattice work to the interior spaces within the truss beams, which 100 inclose the primary and secondary multiplying levers. .As will be seen, the entire platform is supported at its four corners and also at two intervening points along each side, thereby obviating the necessity of heavy timbers or framing, whereby the maximum depth of the platform is reduced to a minimum owing to the reduced dimensions of the several cross bolsters or other framing.

The term platform as employed is intended to designate the entire load-supporting structure, comprising the upper planking and the lower framing timbers, whether transverse or longitudinal or both, andembodies substantially all of such struc- 115 ture lying between the upper surface of the planking andthe lower edges or horizontal plane ofD the supporting timbers.

The entire apparatus is very compact, comparatively simple and cheap in construction, eHective in operation and not liable to get out of order.

Various changes or modifications may be made by the skilled mechanic in the design, arrangement, location or details ofthe apparatus, but vall such changes are to lbe considered as within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

v1. The combination with a rectangular Supporting framework having an upper inwardly projecting su porting portion along two opposite sides, o a platform having a top surface within and substantially on a plane with the top of said framework, connected series of multiplying levers dependin below said projecting supporting portion and arranged longitudinally between. the inner sides of the framework and the outer edges of the platform and operable in vertical planes coincident with the longitudinal spaces between the framework and platform, and transmittin levers ,extending across said multiplying evers and connected therewith and with indicating mechanism.

2. The combination with a rectangular supporting lframework having an upper inwardly projecting su porting portion along two opposite sides, o a platform having a top surface within and substantially on a plane with the top of said framework, con.- nected series of multiplying levers depending below said projecting supporting portion and arranged longitudinally between the inner sides of the framework and the outer edges of the platform and operable in vertical planes coincident with the longitudinal spaces between the framework and platform, and compound transmitting lever mechanism consisting of two levers linked together, each connected with the abutting terminals of said multiplying levers and extending transversely across underneath the platform below said multiplying levers, the end of one of said transmitting levers depending from a pivotal bearing underneath said supporting framework, and the end of the other of said levers being connected by a steelyard rod with the poise beam of the scale.

3. The combination with a weighing platform and transversely arranged transmitting lever mechanism located beneath the top planking of the platform; of a surrounding amework having a supporting top substantially on a level with the latform surface, and series of multiplying evers depending downwardly from said supporting top at each side, said levers being located within the horizontal planes of the top and bottom of the platform and connected therewith above its lower portion and operable in vertical planes coincident with the longitudinal spaces between the framework and platform, and also connected to each other and to the transmitting lever mechanism,

4. The combination with a weighing platform and transversely arranged transmitting lever mechanism located beneath the top surface of the platform: of a supporting framework and series of multiplying levers depending downwardly from said framework at each side, said levers being located above the bottom portion of the platform and connected therewith at each corner and along the sides between the corners, and to each other and to the transmitting lever mechanism, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a weighing platform, and a surrounding framework provided with an upper supporting portion substantially on a plane with the top of the platform, of longitudinally arranged series of multiplying levers in substantial alinement suspended from said supporting portion along each sideof the platform above its bottom portion and supporting it, pairs of said levers being connected endwise to each other, with vertically tilting transmitting lever mechanism connected to the free ends of said multiplying levers, extending transversely across underneath the top surface of the platform and connected with indicating mechanism, substantially as set forth.

6. In a scale, the combination with `the platform and supporting frames at each side -having upper portions substantially on a plane with the top of the platform: of pairs of longitudinally arranged levers in substantial alinement supported from the upper portions of said frames, connected together endwise and supporting the platform above its bottom portion, and vertically tilting transversely arranged transmitting lever mechanism connected with the free ends of said levers, substantially as set forth.

7. In a scale, the combination with a platform, of supporting frames at each side provided with lever supporting elemen'ts located at the top portion of the frame and substantially on a plane with the top of the platform, connected multiplying levers fulcrumed in supports depending downwardly from said elements located horizontally between the sides of the platform and frames respectively at each side, and suspending the platform, and compound transmitting lever mechanism consisting of two connected levers, each connected with the terminals of said multiplying levers and extending transversely of the platform, substantially as set forth.

8. In a scale, the combination with a platform, of supporting frames at each side provided with lever supporting brackets located at the top portion of the frame, directly connected multiplying levers located between said supporting frames and the platform normally on substantially the same horizontal plane, said levers being vertically tilting and fulcrumed in supports depending from form, of supporting frames at each side provided with lever supporting brackets located at the top portion of the frame, connected multiplying levers located horizontally between the frames and platform and fulcrumed in supports depending from said brackets and suspending theV platform, a poise beam, and transmitting lever mechanism connected with the terminals of said multiplying levers and extending transversely of the platform, said transmitting levers being fulcrumed in said side frames, and a steelyard rod connecting said transmitting lever mechanism with the poise beam of the scale, substan` tially as set forth.

10. In a scale, the combination of a series of laterally arranged bolsters and longitudinally arranged floor planking supported upon said bolsters, a surrounding stationary supporting framework, series of connected multiplying'levers depending below and fulcrumed from said framework located at each sideq horizontally between the framework and the side edges of the platform and directly connected with the ends of the holsters, said levers extending longitudinally along the sides of the framework and platform, with transverse vertically tilting `.transmitting levers connected with the terminals of the multiplying levers, substantially as set forth.

11. In a scale, the combination with a surrounding rectangular framework having supporting bracket plates at the top along each side, of a weighing platform substantially ori the same level with the top of said framework, connected series of multiplying levers suspended from said bracket plates and between the adjacent side edges of the platform and framework respectively, within the horizontal planes of the top and bottom of the platform, with transverse vertically tilting lever mechanism connected with said multiplying levers and .with indicating mechanism, substantially as set forth.

12. In a scale, the combi-nation with a surrounding rectangular framework having supporting bracket plates at the top along each side, of a weighing platform having floor planking with its top surface substantially on the samelevel with the top of said framework, laterally arranged supporting bolsters for the platform extending outwardly at each side beyond its side edges, connected 'series of multiplying levers suspended from said bracket plates between the 'bracket plates and the bolster terminals and connected with said terminals, and transmitting lever mechanism connected with the termia nals of said multiplying levers and extending transversely below the top planking of the platform, substantially as set forth.

13. Ina scale, the combination with a surrounding rectangular framework having supporting bracket plates at the top along each sideon substantially thesame .plane as the surface of the roadway, of a weighing platform -having its top substantially on the same level with the top of said framework,

connected series of multiplying-levers susthe surface of the roadway and with the top of said framework, laterally arranged supporting holsters for the platform having terminals extending outwardly at each side beyond its side edges and located vertically below said bracket plates'with an intervening clearance space, longitudinally connected series of multiplying levers located in said clearance space at each side of the platform suspended from said bracket plates and suspending the platform by said bolster terminals, and transmitting lever mechanism connected with the terminals of said multiplying levers and extending transversely below the top planking of the platform, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I afIix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MATTHEW HOWARD REED. In presence of CHAs. S. LEPLEY, C. M. CLARKE. 

